OUR TIME SPENT WORKING AT LITTLE MOMBO - SHARON & LEIGH KEMP

We had the amazing opportunity to work at Little Mombo Camp in 2003 and 2004

Here is an excerpt from our August 2003 month in camp

August 2003

As August draws to a close, the air is heavy with the scent of the yellow flowers of the candle pod acacia and the vervet monkeys are enjoying a bonanza of jackalberries – and it is consequently raining skins and seeds down on the Tent roofs!!!


Monkeys and Baboons think the Mombo tents are the best jungle gym!!

The game at Mombo continues to more than live up to this area’s awesome reputation. Guests enjoying sundowners in the Mombo Lounge were startled to see two lionesses reclining at the water’s edge just metres away. We have been kept awake most nights by the tingling roaring of territorial male lions, and the sawing cough of a leopard has regularly cut through the night. The hyaena’s ghostly whooping and the deep chortling of very amused hippos adds to the strangely melodic choir. Most times the fruit bats and Scops owls have to struggle to make themselves heard over all this din!!! A porcupine has been regularly running across the floodplain at sundowner time, to the delight of many of our guests who have never seen one of these wonderful creatures.
And all this game is of course seen without even leaving Mombo Camp – one afternoon two of our guests, about to head into the bush on a game drive, were dissuaded when they saw first a herd of buffalos and then a breeding herd of elephants pass by their deck and they opted for have a ‘game siesta’ instead!!

Out in the bush, another phenomenal month. A testament to the quality of the game viewing here is that we have had not one but two National Geographic film crew in the area during August, one concentrating on leopards, and the other on the re-introduced rhinos.



The Tortillis female leopard, one of the Mombo regulars, is still fully occupied in bringing up her latest cub – Legadema, now approximately three months old. This cub easily wins out on the cuteness stakes and we have seen some wonderful suckling and playing behaviour between the two coolest cats at Mombo! Legadema’s every mood delights all who see her, and her new game of catch mother’s tail provides endless fun, and not just to the cub. The mother has been doing well in hunting to provide milk for her growing offspring, and just recently we have seen the cub take its first tentative mouthfuls of the impala that will form the mainstay of her diet throughout her life at Mombo.

This young life almost came to an abrupt end one day when the mother was surprised and chased by a troop of baboons. She managed to evade them and at the same time lead them away from where Legadema was hiding, wisely lying low until it was safe to emerge again. A few heart-stopping moments when it looked as if the cub might be discovered, but the game of hide and seek resulted in a total victory for the leopards.


We have seen more elephants than usual in this area, drawn to the water sources, and some of these breeding herds have very young calves – one, still not old enough to use his trunk to drink, struggled to kneel down to get his mouth to the water and at the same time keep up as his herd crossed a channel – there is a lot to learn for a young elephant in the bush………
The Mombo lions continue to do well, bringing down zebra and even one tsessebe. Even Africa’s fastest antelope can’t outrun a cleverly sprung trap. The cheetah are in the area in strength at present, with the veteran Steroid Boys showing that they still have what it takes.

A family staying at Mombo this month was desperate to see a kill but after three days their slightly bloodthirsty dream had not come true. As they sat at the airstrip eating their specially prepared kosher sandwiches, a lioness obliging tripped and strangled a warthog right in front of them. Hopefully they weren’t put off their lunch…….



View from our staff house at Little Mombo!







Mombo is truely a paradise in Africa..............

LODGE OF THE WEEK - LITTLE MOMBO CAMP

The various seasons as photographed from Tent 3 at Little Mombo ....

LITTLE MOMBO - MOREMI GAME RESERVE

Situated off the north-western tip of Chiefs Island and deep within the Moremi Game Reserve is the paradise called “Mombo”
Large concentrations of wildlife occur right in front of Mombo Camp and can be viewed all day from the main deck or from the privacy of your luxury tent. It is quite possible to see up to twelve different mammal species from the comfort of your sala
As a year-round, exclusive wildlife destination, Mombo has a record unequalled in Africa – this is especially the case with the major predators. The Mombo area provides one of the highest quality wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa.. Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and all the major predators are common in the region. Birdlife is prolific and so a haven for bird-watchers too! The excellent game at Mombo has made this area Botswana's top wildlife documentary location. National Geographic, the BBC and many others have filmed here.

The most recent film was the ‘Eye of the Leopard” by Dereck and Beverly Joubert - It is the story of a mother and daughter leopard relationship as well as that of an emerging huntress in Botswana’s magnificent Mombo region of the Okavango Delta. Legadema - A small leopard is filmed from when she is just 8 days old until she is 3 years old and on the brink of adulthood.

September 2007 - 28th Academy of Arts and Science, EMMY Awards Ceremony

Eye of the Leopard and its producers, Dereck and Beverly Joubert were honoured as winners of an Emmy Award for Best Science, technology and Nature film on television for the year.

The film was shot over a period of three years, using the finest High Definition imaging equipment, by Dereck and Beverly to enable them to capture the details of this intimate story of a young leopard as she survives the trials and tribulations of growing up in one of the world's most wild and truly natural wildernesses, the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

LITTLE MOMBO OVERVIEW
No. of bedrooms: Three super luxury tents- Little Mombo can accommodate six guests plus tour leader (Mombo Camp has nine luxury tents)
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: 3 nights/4 days
Central facilities: Little Mombo offers travelers- small groups or families- the exclusivity of a "private" camp all to themselves. Little Mombo is connected to the main camp via the raised walkways which connect all the guest rooms and both camps. Little Mombo has only three rooms, but it can be increased by booking out rooms from Mombo main camp. The rooms at Little Mombo and main camp are identical and it has its own dining room, kitchen, lounge and swimming pool. The game drive areas are the same and Little Mombo offers the same activities and high-standard experience as at main camp. Little Mombo have a boma for outdoor dining under the stars. For honeymooners, there is a private lounge with sala and a private dining deck
· Game activities: Game drives via 1 x 10-seater open Land Rover for 6 guests
· Private vehicle on request (maximum 5 vehicles in the concession with 3 primarily being used at Mombo main camp, one at Little Mombo and one available for private vehicle booking).
· Short game walks can be offered during siesta time on request. Please note that no rifles are allowed in the Park

Geographics
Distance from airstrip: Little Mombo is 15 minutes drive from the airstrip.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Road Transfer
Flying times:
To/from Maun 30 minutes
To/from Kasane 1hr 20 minutes

Management
Owner: Owned, Marketed and managed by Wilderness Safaris.

Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Vegetarians and any particular requirements can be catered for on request.
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: No room service.
Drinks included: All drinks are included in the nightly tariff, with the exception of premium wines and champagne, premium liqueurs and spirits

Children Policy
Age restrictions: Children 8 years of age and over are accepted.
Meals: Special meals can be organised for children on request.
Notes: Little Mombo is a open camp with dangerous wildlife in the area. The rooms and walkways are raised on wooden walkways.

Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Camp has 220v generator powered electricity run in kitchen and main areas when guests are not in camp. When guests return from daily activities, generators generally switched off
220v plugs available in each room for the charging of batteries only 24hrs/day. Guests must provide own power converters.
Solar-heated water
Communications:There is no mobile reception, no direct phone or fax and no email Contact in an emergency is made via radio.
TV & radio: There is no television or radio in your room.

Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: All camp managers are first-aid trained and a comprehensive first-aid kit is kept at camp
Wilderness have an affiliated nurse who is based in Maun and can always be contacted for further medical advice. In an emergency, camps can arrange for clients to be flown out if necessary.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: Little Mombo is unfenced, guests are escorted to their rooms after the dark. Sirens are provided in the rooms in case of an emergency.
Fire safety: There are extinguishers on the balconies of all rooms.

Extras
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included.
Money: There are safe deposit boxes in the rooms.
Accepted payment: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. Diners and Amex are not.

NEW PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA

Festus Mogae stood down as Botswana’s president on 01 April, after a decade in which his country cemented its status as one of Africa’s success stories. Mogae, handed over the reins of power to his long-time heir apparent, Ian Khama.

The new Botswana president is the son of the country’s respected founding president, Sir Seretse Khama. His late father is still a revered figure in Botswana, while the traditional hereditary chieftainship carries a lot of weight and attracts praise, unquestioning loyalty and authority.
Ian Khama obtained his military training at Britain’s famous Sandhurst Academy and took over command of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in 1989 when General Merafhe retired to join elective politics.
In 1998, Mr Khama was plucked from the military by his political mentor and predecessor, Festus Mogae, and appointed vice-president.

Excerpt taken from his inaugation speech, President Ian Khama said:

I am confident in the future, and I am determined to build upon the solid foundation that has already been laid since independence by my predecessors. For me to succeed, we must all be growing in success. No one can achieve anything on his or her own. This is our country, the only country we have. Botswana can achieve greater success only if we show a collective will and when we all participate fully in her affairs.
Therefore whatever we do or whatever we say must be done and said in the best interests of this country.....

SAFETY TIPS IN THE BUSH

If you are planning a camping safari for the first time, there is a chance that you may feel frightened or threatened by the possibility of elephants, lion, buffalo, hyaena or other animals roaming freely around the campsite.
This does take time getting used to, and while your first reaction may be to flee it is essential to behave properly near wild animals and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Our best advice would be to discuss your fears and concerns with a guide or animal expert. Different animals react in different ways and remember the old age advice of "do not panic, but stay calm and keep quiet" is very relevant in the bush too.

Listed below are some tips/advice.....

Always sleep in your tent or vehicle.
Make sure your tent zips up well
Burn all rubbish or dispose of rubbish if there are bin facilities
Cigarette butts must be well extinguished.
Make sure the campfire is well extinguished and cover with sand
Burn all toilet paper.
In most parks and reserves you will be given a designated camping area.
Do not sleep on animal paths, particularly those of hippo.
Do not bathe in or drink from still bodies of water - there is the danger of bilharzia
It is tempting to swim in a lagoon or stream, there is the danger of crocodiles or hippo.
Do not go near the water at night.
Be wary of animals with young.
Never feed the animals or try to touch them.
Do not stray far from the campsite or walk in the bush.

Camping in Botswana provides a unique opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the clear night skies, diverse wildlife and friendly locals. By following these tips above, you will be protecting yourself and the bush for everyone to enjoy in the future.

FILMING OF NO 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY IN BOTSWANA

This is the first film ever shot in this tiny republic, Botswana, with just 1.6 million inhabitants - and carries huge political significance. Botswana has no film industry or infrastructure and has almost no one has any skills connected with movie-making.
Director Minghella was determined to shoot The No1 Ladies' Detective Agency where McCall Smith set it. 'The book is so much about Botswana,' he says. 'In essence, it's a poem about what's beautiful about the country: its tranquillity, its decency, its sense of community. It's unique.'

Financial advisers saw it differently. It would be easier to shoot the film over the border in South Africa, which has a thriving, established industry with experienced crews. But Botswana's political class realised the film and its story could be an opportunity to present the country in a favourable light to the world. The government put up about a third of the film's £7 million production costs on condition that a third of the cast and crew were locals too.

The film's producers have signed a 10 year lease for the area at the foot of Kgale Hill, Gaborone, where they have built the fictional shopping center where Precious Ramotswe opens her storefront detective agency

Some interesting facts about filming the movie:
This is the first motion picture filmed entirely in Botswana
10ft electrified fences surrounded most sets to protect cast and crew from animal attack

Executive producer Anthony Mingella says the following "Filming The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana was an amazing adventure" "The people were marvellous and the landscape, especially in the northern areas of the country, is extraordinary." "Particularly fascinating to me was working and filming in an African country where old and new are currently co-existing, where traditional values have not yet been eroded by the demands and efficiencies and neuroses of the modern. It was a privilege to be working on a film which celebrates what we can learn from Africa and not what we think we can teach it."
Anthony Minghella was an Academy Award-winning English film director, playwright and screenwriter and died on March 18 2008 following surgery complications (The television series will still go ahead, despite the shock death of the director.)

US soul singer Jill Scott stars as Precious Ramotswe in The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. This is what she says about filming in Botswana: ‘It was first my time in Africa, and it was the most amazing three months. What I saw with my eyes, what I heard. The Botswanan people’s attitude and energy towards life. I’m sure it sounds like I’m romanticising Botswana. But I’m being completely honest when I say it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’

Amy Moore, producer of the film of Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling novel
This is what she says about the filming: “It was the happiest set I’ve ever worked on, One of the crew said it was the first film set she’d ever worked on where no one was on a diet! There were many women on the set and there was just something about Botswana that gave a relaxed, happy feel to the whole production. “Everyone seemed to want to help, the government was great, the extras and Batswana crew were super-helpful, there was simply no tension, which is unusual on a film set.“

The country is already gearing up for a tourism spin-off from the film. The Kgale Hill set with Mma Ramotswe’s office is being preserved and will become part of a ‘Ladies Detective Agency tour’. There already has been an influx of tourists asking taxi drivers to take them to JLB Matekoni’s Speedy Motors garage or Mma Ramotswe’s house on Zebra Drive!!

The film has provided work, training and opportunity for hundreds of Batswana.